XL: Focus Method Doesn't Set Focus to Correct Dialog Control

ID: Q129476

The information in this article applies to:

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Excel, when you create a custom dialog box, if you use the Focus method in a Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications procedure to set the focus of the dialog box to a specific control, the control that you specify may not have the focus when you display the dialog box.

CAUSE

This behavior occurs under the following conditions:

Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh

- You set the focus of the dialog box to a control other than an edit box.

In Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, you cannot set the focus of a dialog box to a non-edit box, such as a button or drop-down box. This behavior is by design of the user interface of the Macintosh.

Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh or for Windows

The Focus property only works correctly when it is contained in a procedure that is assigned to the dialog frame, or to a control in the dialog box. To set the focus of the dialog box when the dialog box is displayed, you must assign the procedure that contains the Focus method to the dialog frame.

WORKAROUND

Microsoft provides programming examples for illustration only, without warranty either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose. This article assumes that you are familiar with the programming language being demonstrated and the tools used to create and debug procedures. Microsoft support professionals can help explain the functionality of a particular procedure, but they will not modify these examples to provide added functionality or construct procedures to meet your specific needs. If you have limited programming experience, you may want to contact the Microsoft fee-based consulting line at (800) 936-5200. For more information about the support options available from Microsoft, please see the following page on the World Wide Web: 

   http://www.microsoft.com/support/supportnet/refguide/
To work around this behavior in Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, use the Focus method to set the focus to an edit box in the dialog box, and assign the procedure that contains the Focus method to the dialog frame.

To work around this behavior in Microsoft Excel for Windows, assign the procedure that contains the Focus method to the dialog frame. The following is an example of how to set the focus in a custom dialog box using the Focus method in Microsoft Excel for either platform:

Example

1. Create a custom dialog box that contains two edit boxes, and a 

   combination drop-down edit control.
2. In the dialog box, select the drop-down control, and note the name that 
   appears in the Name box, such as "Drop Down 5."
3. From the Insert menu, choose Macro, and then choose Module. In the new 
   module, enter the following:

      Sub Main()
         DialogSheets(1).Show
      End Sub

      Sub DialogFrame1_Show()
         ' Note that the name used with the DropDowns method should
         ' be the name noted in Step 5 above.
         ActiveDialog.Focus = _
              DialogSheets(1).DropDowns("Drop Down 5").Name
      End Sub
4. Select the Dialog1 sheet tab, and select the dialog title. From the 
   Tools menu, choose Assign Macro. From the Macro Name/Reference list,
   select DialogFrame1_Show, and choose OK.
5. From the Tools menu, choose Macro. From the Macro Name/Reference list, 
   select Main, and choose Run.

   Note that the drop-down edit box has the focus.

MORE INFORMATION

You can use the Focus property in a Visual Basic procedure to set the focus of a dialog box that is displayed. The control on the dialog box that has the focus is where user keyboard input is directed. The focus is indicated by a flashing cursor or highlighted text within an edit box with the focus, or, in Microsoft Excel for Windows only, by a dashed rectangle around the control or around the selection within the control.

Note that you can also set the default focus of a dialog box when you create your dialog sheet. To do this, use the Tab Order dialog box (from the Tools menu, choose Tab Order). Note also that if you are using Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, you can only set the tab order for edit boxes. For additional information, please see the following article(s) in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 

   ARTICLE-ID: Q127790
   TITLE     : MXL5: Can't Set Tab Order for Control Other Than Edit Box

REFERENCES

For more information about the Focus property, choose the Search button in MS Excel Visual Basic Help and type: 

   focus in dialog boxes
Additional query words: 5.00 5.00c 7.00 
Keywords          : kbcode kbprg PgmCtrlsStd 
Version           : WINDOWS:5.0,5.0c,7.0,7.0a; MACINTOSH:5.0,5.0a
Platform          : MACINTOSH WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbprb

Last Reviewed: May 17, 1999